OTF

Does it honestly even matter?

I'd like to say I have the same level of confidence.

"Joe understands modern footballers". Yep, sounds like something Taylor would say.

So telling that we didn't even bother to speculate through the January window about potential purchases. It was only about retention of existing players. Expectations successfully crushed.

We've got a squad that can get us through the season, hooray! With any luck they'll get us through until January and, I'm probably asking too much here, get through that season too. Dare to dream.

I loved 11-22-63. Great read.

This is the least I've cared about Newcastle United ever.

Exactly, we've known this since his debut. Hopefully he can now get a run in the side.

All jokes aside the expectations are so low for Carver that the worst he could do is meet them.

Agree, it seemed like it would have been the perfect opportunity to give him some time on the pitch. With our injury problems it's not like he's unlike;y to be called on soon.

Would make sense to trot him out, even for Sammy.

Man I was going to post when Gouffran came in that he would score. Had a legitimate feeling he would.

Great goal line clearance for us from Jelavic.

Coloccini; saves face with hand, loses face with foot.

Should be getting Riviere out there with all of these unusual suspects scoring.

That's some fucking goal. Well done Sammy.

LIkewise. Anita has been poor.

Yeah that'd be some tournament if it was comprised of continental Australia. Even better that we're champions of a continent that we're not technically part of.

He's a little slow off the mark defensively. Should be able to make up for it with the long legs, no excuse for fouling there, with our set piece defending it's a dangerous game.

Elmohamady haha how did he almost get away with that? And what sort of knob does that, celebrates it like he did and then looks incredulous when it was rightfully chalked off.

Really happy for him to have opened his account. Still goes to ground a fair bit but it's usually as a result of a foul or at least contact and he's generally back on his feet quickly as was evidenced there.

Lovely finish Cabella.

Aye, just inadvertantly saved a goal with his knee.

Former Newcastle United player James Troisi scored the winner in extra time. By far the most populous continent on the planet. Probably home to some of the tallest people in the world. Seriously though it's an amazing achievement. South Korea and Japan are hardly footballing minnows. We've done it with the core of a new generation of players which bodes well for a healthy future.

Nicky Butt